If there is a fine line between success and failure, a manager in search of a stress-free life might be looking for the elusive area between underachievement and overachievement. Underperform and his position comes into question. Exceed expectations and he is challenged to do even better. Even repeating his earlier exploits can bring suggestions his side have not progressed.

Such are the problems that confront Garry Monk, Tony Pulis and Alan Pardew this season. They have set the bar high. In their...

ESPN FC's Steve Nicol says Yohan Cabaye had to leave PSG to get his career back on track.

Alan Pardew took Crystal Palace to 10th place last season and will be hoping to consolidate their position in the league this time around. Here's a look at what to expect from Pardew's men as we approach the new campaign ...

Preview

Staying up again is the main aim, but the squad is good enough for another top-10 finish and maybe even a cup run.

Biggest concern

The Eagles have a great squad and are adding to it wisely, coupled with a bullishness that means they were able to beat the likes of Manchester...

The ESPN FC crew share their thoughts on Carlos Tevez's move back to Boca Juniors and question Alan Pardew's new training ground attire.

Loyalty is a word that's banded around a lot in football. Pundits use it to demise the lack of one-player clubs; fans use it to prove how strong their support is. Even Fabian Delph used the word when he promised he was staying at Aston Villa only to go and do the exact opposite of loyalty as he signed for Manchester City a few days later. But being "loyal" is a badge most football fans wear with pride no matter what's happening at his team.

No Crystal Palace fan is going to admit that Patrick Bamford was their first choice as the club's new striker, but like getting into your second choice of university and finding it's actually a better fit, the England U-21 forward could turn out to be a very smart acquisition indeed.

Bamford has arrived from Chelsea in the manner in which all Blues squad players find new clubs: on loan. Palace is, in fact, the fourth different club he's played for on loan club at the age of 21. He's enjoyed fruitful...

The ESPN FC crew share their thoughts on Carlos Tevez's move back to Boca Juniors and question Alan Pardew's new training ground attire.

Sometimes things that seem like a perfect match just don't work out: Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, Harrison Ford and another Indiana Jones movie, the band Muse. Now it seems like Crystal Palace and Dwight Gayle can be added to that list.

The Eagles striker has been linked with a move away from the club this summer and while no one at Selhurst Park wants him to go, it's starting to look like it might be the best thing for everyone if he moves on.